At Sealegs, we’re always proud to support our passionate community of boat owners- and this year, we were thrilled to once again sponsor the Moreton Island Fishing Classic.
Held at the end of August and into early September, this exciting four-day event is a cornerstone of fundraising for the Moreton Island and Bulwer Rural Fire Brigade, bringing together anglers from across Queensland and beyond.
This event is special not only because of its incredible community spirit, but because of the people who make it happen. One of those people is Sealegs owner and First Officer Fire Chief of the Moreton Island Rural Fire Brigade, Scott Bielenberg. His dedication to both the Sealegs brand and the local community made our involvement in this event even more meaningful.
As the sun began to rise on Wednesday morning, Michael and Natalia loaded two 8.5m Alloy Cabins and set off from Jacobs Well, ready for an adventure. By mid-morning, they had successfully landed on Moreton Island and set up our Sealegs base camp. Our stand, complete with Sealegs-branded gazebos, beach umbrellas, flags, and brochures, was positioned right next to the Fire Station, where the event’s activities were held. We were in good company, too—next door was ARB (4x4 Accessories Australia), one of the event’s three major sponsors, with City Hire rounding out the trio.
The friendly faces of our Sealegs family were all around. Although Cliff Hughes from City Hire couldn’t attend, his son Mark was there, joining us for the duration of the event. As we set up, excitement was already building for the days to come.
On Thursday, Michael made an early crossing to the mainland to pick up Jack and Judy Beedham’s 8i, which had been undergoing repairs. By mid-morning, the boat was delivered to their island home, and Jack and Judy were delighted with both the work Michael had done and the personal touch he’d brought to the delivery.
The event kicked off in full force on Friday, and we were ready with a sizzling Sealegs BBQ and rally breakfast. Jeremy arrived with the catering, and our four Sealegs children—dressed in Sealegs t-shirts and hats—became the stars of the show. They even caught the biggest fish in their category that day, stealing the spotlight and getting plenty of admiring looks from the crowd!
Saturday brought its own adventure. After a day of fishing, we packed up and relocated our base camp to Castaways for the Sealegs Owners and Associates BBQ. The evening was filled with laughter, great food, and inspiring conversations. We were joined by Sealegs owners and their families, including Kim Lindsay, his friends Bill and Terry, as well as Scotty, Raelee, Rod and Ali Leech, and ARB Senior Manager Johnathan.
The atmosphere was electric. Among the many discussions, Rod and Ali Leech expressed interest in visiting New Zealand to demo the 12RC model with Scott and Raelee. It’s always exciting when our Sealegs family is eager to explore new adventures, and Michael and Natalia are already working with Nicholas to plan their demo dates.
Sunday morning brought the final chapter of this unforgettable weekend. At 7am, we packed up and moved the Sealegs-branded camp to the beach near the Bulwer Wrecks for a rally and BBQ breakfast. The stunning footage James captured that morning—of Scott’s 9m RIB, Kim Lindsay’s 7.5m RIB, and Michael in the 8.5m Alloy Cabin—was breathtaking. The camaraderie continued as everyone joined us for a final breakfast on the beach, surrounded by the beauty of Moreton Island.
Over these four unforgettable days, we didn’t just help raise funds for the Moreton Island Rural Fire Brigade. We strengthened relationships with Sealegs owners who hold great influence both on the island and in the wider region. Our brand was showcased far and wide, and we walked away with some brilliant Australian marketing material to share with the world.
Unfortunately, the weather threw a bit of a curveball as northerly winds picked up towards the end of the weekend. The Moreton Bay crossing became rough, and some owners who had planned to join us had to cancel last minute. However, with the event moving to later in September in 2025, we’re already looking forward to an even bigger, better, and more exciting Sealegs presence next year.
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